Another Tanzania opposition leader slapped with treason case in witch-hunt series

By Our Correspondent, DAR ES SALAAM Tanzania 

Director of Training, Organization and Elections of the main opposition party in Tanzania, John Pambalu, was arraigned at a Resident Magistrate's Court in Dar es Salaam, Wednesday October 21, 2026, and charged with one count of treason.

Treason is a non-bailable offense in Tanzania and carries a potential death penalty.

Mr. Pambalu becomes the second senior leader of Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) to face the treason case following his party Chairman, Tundu Lissu, whose treason case will come for judgement on 6th November this year.

Pambalu, who is also a former Chairman of the National Youth Council of CHADEMA (BAVICHA) and a member of the National Secretariat, Central Committee and Central Council of the party, has been charged before the Chief Resident Magistrate, Salome Mshasha.

In the case, which does not have a bail, Pambalu has been charged by the State Attorney, Titus Aron, while the defense attorney was not present in court during submission f the charge.

According to the charge sheet, Pambalu committed the offense on various dates between September 1 and October 29, 2025, in different areas of the Dar es Salaam Region.

Prosecutors allege that between September 1 and October 29, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Pambalu attempted to influence the public to disrupt the October 2025 General Election by coordinating nationwide protests to pressure the government.

The prosecution of Pambalu represents another example of the repression of government critics after the October 2025 elections which were marked by widespread and bloodily repressed protests.

Last year Chadema launched its "No Reforms, No Election" campaign to demand deep constitutional and electoral changes before participating in national polls.

The party didn’t participate in the 2025 General elections tabling the following reform:

Independent Electoral Commission: Removal of presidential power to appoint election officials to eliminate conflicts of interest.

New Constitution: Revival of the stalled constitutional drafting process to replace the 1977 single-party era constitution.

Judicial Review: Legal changes to allow courts to review presidential election results.

Independent Candidates: Legal reforms allowing independent candidates to run for president.

Vote Threshold: A requirement that winning presidential candidates must secure at least 51% of the vote.

Release of Leaders: The unconditional release of CHADEMA Chairman Tundu Lissu, who has faced treason and cyber charges, alongside an international investigation into political abductions and killings.

So far, hundreds of Chadema leaders and members are in various prisons facing criminal cases including terrorism and murder.